How to Find Your Perfect Fit at American Apparel

BRAND SIZING GUIDES

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

American Apparel generally runs small — and when I say small, I mean it. Their basics are designed with a close, body-conscious fit in mind, so if you're between sizes, size up without a second thought. I made the classic mistake of ordering my usual size in their famous ribbed bodysuit, and let's just say it became a very expensive crop top. Lesson learned. Once I sized up, it was the most flattering thing I owned all summer.

American Apparel is one of those brands that's had quite the journey — originally founded in LA in the 1990s, relaunched, and now beloved again for its clean, minimalist basics. The brand's strength is in its simplicity: high-quality cotton jersey, flattering cuts, and that effortlessly cool, undone aesthetic. But the sizing needs a little decoding, especially if you're shopping from the UK. Here's everything you need to know.

How American Apparel Sizing Works

American Apparel uses US sizing (XS, S, M, L, XL) across most of its range, with some styles also available in numeric sizing for bottoms. The fit is consistently close to the body — think soft, stretchy jersey that skims rather than drapes. Here's a rough UK translation:

XS → UK 6–8 (but cuts small, so if you're a UK 8 with curves, go S)
S → UK 8–10
M → UK 10–12
L → UK 12–14
XL → UK 14–16

The key thing to understand is that American Apparel's sizing is intentionally fitted. Their cotton is also pre-shrunk, so you won't get extra stretch after washing — what you buy is what you get. For anything bodysuit or ribbed, I'd always go one size up as a rule. For their oversized or relaxed fits (like the boyfriend tee or the hooded sweatshirt), you can go true to size or even down.

The Fabric Makes a Big Difference

Not all American Apparel pieces fit the same way, and a big part of that comes down to the fabric. Their range breaks down roughly like this:

100% Cotton Jersey — Their signature. Soft, slightly structured, minimal stretch. Sizes run small here. Their t-shirts and dresses in this fabric are brilliant quality but unforgiving if you go too small.
Rib Knit — Stretchy and body-hugging. This is where sizing up really matters. The ribbed tanks, mini skirts, and bodysuits in this fabric will cling. If you want a fitted look without feeling constricted, go up one.
Fleece & Loopback Cotton — Their sweatshirts, hoodies, and joggers. These are more relaxed by design, so true to size works well here. Lovely weight and they wash brilliantly.
Mesh & Sheer — More of a true-to-size category. The mesh is stretchy enough to accommodate, but it's very unforgiving on fit, so it's worth measuring carefully.

Their Most Popular Styles — and What to Know About Each

American Apparel's range is deceptively simple, but there are a few cult pieces worth knowing how to size for specifically:

The Bodysuit — Arguably their most famous piece. Go up one size. Full stop. It's body-conscious by design and there's no give once you're in it. The poppers at the gusset also sit better with a little room.
The Ribbed Mini Skirt — Another cult classic. Stretchy but short. If you're between sizes, go up — the length will look more intentional and less desperate.
The Baby Tee — This one is meant to be cropped and fitted, so true to size is actually fine here if you want that look. If you want a slightly more relaxed crop, go up one.
The Classic T-Shirt (Unisex) — Their unisex styles run significantly larger. A women's XS is usually best translated to a unisex XS–S for an oversized look on a UK 8–10. Check which range you're buying from.
The Fleece Hoodie — True to size and absolutely brilliant. One of the best basics on the market. Wash after wash, it holds its shape.
High-Waisted Denim Shorts — These run true to small. If you're a UK 12, try a 29 or 30. They don't have much stretch, so don't try to squeeze into a size you'd usually be on the edge of.
The Mini Dress — Length varies by style. Petite women may find even the XS sits very short. Taller women (5'8"+) will likely find it works perfectly as a mini. Check the length measurement before buying.

Petite, Tall, and Curvy — What to Know

American Apparel doesn't offer a petite or tall range, which is worth knowing upfront. Their standard length is cut for roughly a 5'5"–5'7" frame. If you're petite, their minis will likely sit shorter than intended — which can work brilliantly or not at all, depending on the style. If you're tall, the opposite applies: what's meant to be a mini becomes a very short mini indeed.

For curvier shapes — particularly if you carry more through the hips and thighs — the ribbed and bodycon styles can be tricky. The fabric does stretch, but American Apparel's silhouettes are cut fairly narrow through the hip. Sizing up gives you the coverage without compromising the look. Their relaxed styles (tees, hoodies, joggers) are far more inclusive in practice.

How American Apparel Compares to Similar Brands

If you love American Apparel's clean basics aesthetic, here are some great alternatives to have on your radar — especially useful for filling the gaps where AA's sizing doesn't quite work for you:

Urban Outfitters — Stocks a similar vibe with more size variety. Their own-brand basics are worth a look if you want something AA-adjacent with a bit more room.
Anthropologie — A step up in price and design detail, but shares that clean, considered aesthetic. Their sizing is more generous.
Cos — Brilliant for minimal, high-quality basics with a more European cut. Slightly more relaxed than AA's close fit.
Asos — Has an enormous range of AA-style basics at multiple price points. Useful for finding the silhouette you love in a size or length that works better for you.
H&M — Their Divided and premium basics lines do a convincing AA-inspired ribbed range at a fraction of the price. Good for testing a style before committing.
Topshop (via ASOS) — Still the go-to for Y2K-inspired basics. Their ribbed co-ords in particular scratch the same itch as AA's cult pieces.
Boden — For the more elevated basics end of things — brilliant cotton jersey, honest sizing, and lengths that actually work for real bodies.

For something a little more niche, I'd also flag Entireworld — a New York basics brand with a brilliant, considered colour palette and very honest sizing — and Lady White Co., an LA label that sits in the same premium basics space as American Apparel but with slightly more generous proportions and an even softer hand feel. Both are worth bookmarking if you love what AA does but find the fit a consistent battle.

A Few Final Fitting Tips

Always check whether you're shopping the women's or unisex range — they size very differently
For ribbed styles, measure your bust and hips in centimetres and compare to the size guide before buying
American Apparel's returns policy is worth reading before you order — especially for sale items
If ordering two sizes, the cotton jersey styles look best when they skim rather than stretch — go with whichever fits without pulling
Their basics genuinely last — worth investing in the right size rather than making do

🛍️ Get Your Exact American Apparel Size — Instantly

American Apparel's sizing is one of those cases where guessing just doesn't cut it. With such a close, body-conscious fit across so much of the range, being one size out makes a real difference — both in comfort and in how the piece actually looks on you. That's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built for.

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And if you want more style guidance, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with free, unsponsored advice from real stylists. Honest. Independent. Always free. A few to get you started:

Size confidently. Shop smarter. That's Tellar.